After Much Anticipation, Nightlife is Back!

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — Since its inception in the summer of 2007, Nightlife has been an oasis of learning, growth and friendship for post-seminary girls. It is often a struggle to stay above the murky “single” waters, and when a Chassidishe Yom Tov comes around, a great lecture is in order or the mood just hits, Nightlife is the place to be.

Nightlife regular, Nechama Dina, related that Nightlife keeps her focused and helps her “live with the times, [especially] in the years after school, when you don’t have the structure anymore… With Nightlife, you stay connected.”

In addition to the hands-on demonstrations, fascinating talks, music, art and comedy evenings, Nightlife is all about bringing girls together. Michal, a Nightlifer, feels that “Nightlife is a great place to make connections with other girls.” Connections like these are what make Nightlife such a success. One girl admitted that Nightlife was the reason she made the decision to come to Crown Heights for the year!

The feeling of warmth and family was always tangible in the Nightlife lounge graciously provided by the Rubashkin family and is sure to be replicated iy”h in the future. Girls of all types and ages have walked down Nightlife’s staircase, and all have felt welcome.

Following a highly successful year and an equally successful summer, countless girls asked the same question: When will Nightlife begin again? Though busy with jobs and other activities, girls missed Nightlife. “Even when I’m busy, I make it a point to come,” said one Nightlifer eager for the program to resume.

At long last, an email announcing Nightlife’s return was received. On Thursday night, Yud Daled Kislev–the Rebbe’s and Rebbitzen’s wedding anniversary–70 girls braved the mabul-like weather to daven at the Ohel for shidduchim.

The evening began with an inspirational and practical talk given by Rabbi Zalman Leib Markowitz. He stressed that we single girls should utilize our time to accomplish great things—as many girls already have. He explained that comparing oneself to others is a significant contributor to becoming downhearted about being single. Distancing oneself from that type of thinking will help one have a happier outlook in this stage, as well as all other stages in life.

Mrs. Esther Berkowitz spoke next, sharing her personal shidduch experience. Everyone was captivated, and gathered close to catch every word (which was getting more and more difficult as the rain pounded harder on the tent roof.) Mrs. Berkowitz’s story reminded us to dig deep and realize what’s really important in the long run.

The panim were then written and the girls headed out into the hammering rain to the Ohel itself. A pan klali was read aloud, as were the names of hundreds of singles which took over fifteen minutes to read. As drenched girl after drenched girl reboarded the bus, one could not help but recall the words of our Rebbe, cited from a letter printed in Eternal Joy, advising one seeking a shidduch to “seek with due effort and energy a zivug that will benefit you both materially and spiritually… And ‘If you will but toil, you will surely find.’” There is no doubt that the earnestness, sincerity and determination with which these girls set out to daven on that ill-weathered night will not go unnoticed.

Though some aspects of Nightlife will be changing this year, the spirit and unifying atmosphere that really enriched the lives of girls here on all levels will continue with the same drive and enthusiasm. Programming in the past has included lectures and classes given by sought-after speakers such as Rabbi Yossi Jacobson, Rabbi Asher Crispe, Sara Esther Crispe, Shimona Tzukernik, Rabbi Dov Yonah Korn, Devorah Halberstam, Chaya Teldon and Malka Touger, to name just a few. What can Nightlifers look forward to this year? Girls can count on Nightlife for programming on special calendar dates, Friday night meals, weekly lecturers and more.

Nightlife’s future success will depend largely on the generosity and time of the girls themselves, as well as members of the Crown Heights community. If you would like to get involved in this vital and rewarding project, please contact the Nightlife staff at CrownHeightsNightlife@gmail.com for volunteer opportunities.

Another amazing Nightlife year is just beginning… and in the spirit of Hakhel, may these gatherings bring more light to each girl in her personal life, more light to this community, and more light to the world.

Nightlife was founded by Moshe Rubashkin and is a joint project of the CHJCC, BYIT and Taharas Hamishpocha Int’l. Nightlife is sponsored in part by the CHJCC.